TaxAct® will determine which education benefit is most advantageous for you based on the data entered on your return (such as income, filing status, amount of qualified expenses, etc). See Education Credits & Deductions for instructions on how to enter or modify your education information in TaxAct, or to compare the education benefits in your return.

Generally, you can claim the lifetime learning credit if:

1. You pay qualified higher education expenses,
2. You pay the education expenses for an eligible student, and
3. The eligible student is yourself, your spouse, or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return.

You may not claim both the American opportunity credit and the lifetime learning credit for the same student in the same tax year. For more information on the differences between these credits, see 8863 Education Credits

Eligible Student

To be eligible for the lifetime learning credit, the student must have taken courses that are part of a degree program or part of a non-degree program taken to acquire or improve job skills.

Qualified Education Expenses

Qualified education expenses include tuition and certain related expenses required for enrollment in a course at an eligible educational institution. Student-activity fees and expenses for course-related books, supplies, and equipment are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees and expenses must be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance.

Related Links:

• 8863 Education Credits
• American Opportunity Credit
• IRS Publication 970